Sister Profile

Sister Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer

Biography

Sister Dorothy Ellen is a native of Indianapolis. Currently, she ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Dorothy entered the Congregation in 1950, professing first vows in 1952 and final vows in 1957.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education and has a master’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University. She also has another master’s degree in theology from Mundelein University in Mundelein, Illinois.

Complete list of ministries

Illinois:

  • teacher, grade 4, St. Leo, Chicago (1959-1962)
  • secretary, Ministry Resource Center, Inc., Chicago (1981-1982)
  • programmer/bookkeeper, Ministry Resource Center, Inc., Chicago (1982-1987)
  • pastoral associate, Queen of Apostles Parish, Riverdale (1987-1988)
  • pastoral associate, Assumption Parish, Coal City (1998-2002)
  • volunteer to parish and nursing home, Assumption Parish, Coal City and Morning Star Mission, Joliet (2002-2012)

Indiana:

  • teacher grades 3,4,5, Annunciation, Brazil (1956-59)
  • teacher grade 4, St. Thomas Aquinas, Indianapolis (1959)
  • teacher, grade 4, St. James, Indianapolis (1962-65)
  • teacher, grade 4, St. John the Baptist, Whiting (1965-1968)
  • teacher, grade 5, St. Luke, Indianapolis (1968-1972)
  • teacher, grade 4, St. James, Indianapolis (1972-1976)
  • teacher, intermediate, South Central Catholic, Indianapolis (1976-77)
  • teacher, grade 5, St. Philip Neri, Indianapolis (1977-1979)
  • director, Simeon House, Indianapolis, (1980-1981)
  • volunteer driver, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2012-2020)
  • volunteer switchboard, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2015-2021)
  • prayer/health care volunteer, SMW, 2021-

Massachusetts

  • teacher, grade 2, St. Rose, Chelsea (1954-1956)

New Hampshire

  • teacher, grade 4/5, St. Mary, Rochester (1952-1954)

Photographs

Click images to view larger.

Sister Kathleen Leonard (center) poses with her former teachers Sister Mary Ann Phelan (left) and Sister Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer. All three celebrated Jubilees in 2025.
Sister Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer (center) with General Councilor Sister Laura Parker (left) and General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski.
Sisters celebrating 75 years with the Congregation this year included (front, from left) Sister Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer, Sister Eileen Rose Bonner and Sister Ruth Johnson, photographed with (back, from left) General Councilors Sister Laura Parker and Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, Vicar/General Treasurer Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp and General Councilor Sister Carole Kimes.